Rent increases are one of the biggest fears of Nigerian tenants, and one of the least understood. The honest answer to "can my landlord do that?" is "often, but not however they like." What follows is general information drawn from published legal commentary, not legal advice.
What the law is reported to say
According to Mushrooms, Lagos and most of Nigeria have no statutory cap on rent or on increases. A landlord can propose a large rise, but the increase can only take effect at renewal, not in the middle of a term.
The same source says that in Lagos, Section 37 of the Tenancy Law 2011 allows a sitting tenant to ask the court to declare an increase unreasonable. The court looks at rents for comparable properties in the locality and hears both sides. LawPadi reports the same principle and adds that you do not have to accept whatever figure the landlord names (LawPadi). That source also says the Lagos law is reported not to apply to properties in Apapa, Ikeja GRA, Ikoyi and Victoria Island.
In the FCT, the same source says there is no Section 37 equivalent, so challenges rely on negotiation and contract law. Rules in other states differ, so check yours.
What this means in practice
- 1Read your agreement. It may say how and when rent can change.
- 2Wait for the new rent in writing. A figure said in passing is not a notice.
- 3Check the timing. An increase takes effect at renewal, not tomorrow.
- 4Decide your position before you reply, using the steps below.
Build a case with numbers
A landlord is more likely to move when you bring evidence. Collect:
- The rents of three similar flats nearby: same size, same condition, same type of building. Search on Zedo for comparable listings.
- What you have already paid, and the date of every increase so far.
- Your record: on-time payments, no complaints, repairs you handled yourself.
- The landlord's own costs: have they improved the flat or the compound since the last increase?
How to negotiate
- Start with the relationship. Say you want to stay, and ask what changed.
- Show your numbers, calmly. "Similar flats on this road are asking for this much" works better than "this is unfair".
- Offer something. A longer term, an earlier payment, or paying the whole year upfront can justify a smaller rise.
- Ask for a phased increase, for example half now and half next year.
- Ask for something non-monetary. A repair, a repaint or a fixed rent for the next term.
Our guide to paying rent monthly in Nigeria explains how payment terms change the total.
If you cannot agree
- Know your notice rights. Where the agreement is silent, reporting on the Lagos law gives a yearly tenant six months' notice to quit, one month for a monthly tenant. See the quit notice guide.
- Do not pay under pressure a figure you cannot afford. Keep paying the rent you agreed, with receipts.
- Take advice from a lawyer or a legal aid office before you refuse to pay or move out.
- Start looking. The rent affordability calculator shows what you can afford, and the move-in cost calculator shows what a move would cost.
For landlords
A fair, explained increase tied to the market keeps good tenants. A surprise large one often costs a landlord months of vacancy and a move-in cycle. See how landlords can screen tenants without being unfair for the other side of the table.
A worked example: is the new rent reasonable?
Suppose your rent is ₦1,500,000 and the landlord now asks for ₦2,100,000. That is a rise of ₦600,000, or 40 percent. The figures here are illustrative.
You find three similar flats nearby:
| Flat | Yearly rent |
|---|---|
| Comparable flat A | ₦1,700,000 |
| Comparable flat B | ₦1,850,000 |
| Comparable flat C | ₦1,900,000 |
The average is about ₦1,817,000. A rise to ₦2,100,000 is well above it. That does not make the landlord wrong to ask, but you now have a figure to open the conversation: "Flats like mine are asking for about ₦1.8 million. I would like to renew at ₦1,800,000."
Compare the cost of moving too. Use the move-in cost calculator to see what a new flat would cost on day one, including fees and deposit. If moving would cost more than the increase over a year or two, staying may still be the better deal, and you can say so when you negotiate.
What your landlord is thinking
It helps to see the other side. A landlord who raises the rent is usually responding to a real pressure, such as higher costs for repairs, fuel or materials, or a neighbour whose flat rented for more. They also know that finding a new tenant costs time and money: a vacant month or two, a repaint, agent fees and the risk of a bad tenant.
That is why a reliable tenant has leverage. If you pay on time, look after the flat and give notice early, you are worth keeping. Say that clearly and kindly, and mention the length of time you have lived there.
Timing matters
Do not leave the conversation until the last week. Aim to talk about renewal at least three months before the term ends, if your agreement does not set a different date. Early talks give you time to compare other flats, and they give the landlord time to hear your offer without feeling cornered. If the landlord is slow to raise the subject, you can open it yourself with a short message asking whether they expect any change at renewal.
Put the final deal in writing
Whatever you agree, write it down: the new rent, the dates, how it is paid and what else has been agreed, such as a repair. A short signed addendum to the agreement is enough. Verbal agreements disappear, and a new rent that you only discussed in person can be changed the next time you speak.
If you are unsure about a legal point, ask a lawyer or a legal aid office. How to read a tenancy agreement before you sign it explains which clauses to check before renewal.
Three scenarios and how to respond
The small, reasonable rise. Your landlord asks for 8 percent more, and similar flats nearby cost about the same. This is the easy case. Accept, ask for the new rent in writing and ask whether the landlord will fix one outstanding repair as part of the renewal.
The large rise with no explanation. Rent jumps by a third. Ask what has changed, gather comparable rents and make a counter-offer with evidence. Offer something in return, such as a longer term or earlier payment. See negotiate your rent renewal before January.
The rise that comes with a threat. "Pay or leave next week." Do not panic. Check your agreement and the notice you are entitled to, and respond in writing. Reported guidance says an increase takes effect at renewal, and that a proper notice has to be given. See quit notice in Nigeria and take advice before you agree to anything or stop paying.
What to put in writing
Whatever you agree, write it down. A short note signed by both sides is enough. It should state the new rent, the period, the payment dates and anything else agreed, such as repairs. Keep the receipts, because they matter for your records and for the tenant tax relief. See rent relief for tenants.
Prepare for next year now
A rise is easier to handle when you expect it. Set aside a margin each month, keep your payment record clean and look at the market twice a year. Renting in 2027: how to plan your year's rent shows how.
Sources
- Mushrooms, "Quit notice and rent increases in Nigeria"
- LawPadi, "10 things Lagosians should know about the Lagos Tenancy Law"
These are secondary sources. A 2026 tenancy bill has been reported as a proposal, not law. Confirm the current rules for your state with a lawyer.
